Blow-out valve for gas of gas lighter



Jan. 19, 1965 YosHlo KIHARA 3,165,908

BLOW-OUT VALVE FOR GAS OF GAS LIGHTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l F'led Oct. l5, 1962 Jan. 19, 1965 YosHlo KIHARA 3,165,908

BLow-ou'r VALVE FOR GAS oF GAS LIGHTER Filed 0G12. l5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,165,908 BLOW-GUT VALVE FOR GAS F GAS LIGR Yoshio Kihara, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama-ken, Japan, assignor to Kabushiki Kaisha Hirota, Tokyo, Japan Filed Oct. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 239,636 4 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

The present invention relates to an improvement in the device of a blow-out valve for gas of gas lighter.

It is one of objects of the present invention to devise means which ensures a regulated flow of fuel gas from a blow-out valve of gas lighter. It will be seen with the novel device of the present invention that a porous and elastic member with even distribution of irregular pores throughout, interposed into a space within a passage through which the fuel flows and below a surface of the lowermost end of a regulating block, plays its role in the control of the rate of flowing of fuel taking advantage of its porous and resilient nature.

It is the further object of the present invention to devise means wherein they may be produced simple in structure and satisfactorily operated for a considerable length of time without mechanical disorder, void of any repair or undue attention.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational section of the blow-out valve of a gas lighter embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view taken along the line Z-Z in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of the blow-out valve shown in FlG. 1, but showing fractionally with the rest part of the gas lighter;

FIG. 4 is a similar view to FIG. 1, but showing another modilication thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4, but showing only a fraction thereof.

With reference to the drawings now, in order to disclose general nature and structure of the blow-out valve of the present invention, there is shown a fuel tank 17 which holds a fixed tubular member 1, a bottom 2 thereof taking position at the lowermost end or someplace in the middle of the former. A passage 3 of small diameter is provided at the center of the bottom 2, the first-named being communicated to a hollow space 4 which accommodates therein properly a porous spongy elastic member 5 of a dimension of pretty thickness. The elastic member is made of polyvinyl chloride or the like. There is provided in the center of a regulating block 6 a vertical passage 7 for fuel to ow. The passage is communicated on its lowermost end with a diametrically running side passage with a smaller diameter.

This arrangement permits a platform 8 as shown in the drawing to hold a ring shaped packing 9 in position. The regulating block 6 which is held in the fixed tubular member 1 in a screwed-in relation is shaped into a reverse frusturn near the lowermost end, and holding thereon a sloped side surface 6' with diameter less than the upper surface of the elastic member 5, supports a pressure surface 6" with the area smaller in size than the upper surface of the elastic member 5. The pressure surface 6 is assigned to press on the latter named for the purpose of the controlling the iiow of fuel. Meanwhile the elastic member is shaped into such dimension that it may play co-operatively such way while it accommodates itself properly within the hollow space 4 provided on the bottom 2. It also receives the shrinkage 6 of the lowermost end of the regulating block 6 in an intimately holding relation. With the modification of the present invention illustrated in FIGURE 3 a pillow 9a" is provided 3,165,908 Patented Jan. 19., 1965i ICC rather than providing the hollow space. The pillow 9a is concaved slightly at a place that communicates itself with the passage 7a. The pillow 9a" is provided with a size which is smaller than the elastic member 5a. This arrangement permits a narrow space 11a to stay around the periphery thereof. With still another modification of Y the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5,

a valve with I-shaped section 12b is mounted in a manner that a rod-shaped Valve 13b is mounted independent of the valve 12b" within the fixed tubular member 16.

Now referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the iixed tubular member 1 is shaped into a tubular form with bottom, wherein the bottom 2, provides a small passage 3 in the center that permits the fuel gas to flow, and a hollow space 4 within the material thereof. The hollow space 4 is communicated with the small passage 3. The hollow space 4 accommodates properly a porous spongy elastic member 5, the elastic member 5 being composed of materials such as polyvinyl chloride or other synthetic resins with even distribution of innumerable number of irregular pores throughout. There is provided in the center of the regulating block 6 a vertical passage 7 which permits the fuel to run through. At the lowermost end the passage 7 is connected with `a diametrically running passage 7 which also permits the fuel to run through. A plat-` form 8 which is shaped just above the diametrically running passage 7 provides a shrinkage 6 with diameter smaller than the former.

This arrangement provides ya space along the inner periphery of the fixed tubular member 1, permitting a seat for the ring shaped packing 9 with a section of semi-circle at the lower half, and an engagement by screwing of a female screw thread on the fixed tubular member 1 with a male screw thread 15 on the outside periphery of the regulating block 6. Meanwhile, a sloped surface 6 which is shaped in cutting diagonally the peripheral surface into a reverse frustum supports a surface 6" which is smaller in size than the elastic member 5. This arrangement permits the peripheral portion thereof to keep off from the contact by the surface 6 in the event when the elastic member 5 is caused to press by the lowermost surface 6" of the regulating block 6. Below the fixed tubular member 1 is provided, in some cases, an adapter to accommodate a filter substance 16 of fuel such as cotton, or mat of synthetic fiber or the like which is shown in the drawing by a dotted line. As shown from the drawings,

the fixed tubular member 1 is fitted adequately on the wall of the fuel tank 17 with the help of a fitting appliance 13 tightly secured in position by a packing 19. The regulating block 6 provides a projection 20 which protrudes slightly above otherwise iiat surface and provides an opening in the center thereof, and is closed by an elastic member 23 which is held in a hollow space 22 in the under-surface of a hinged lid 21. The regulating block 6 is mounted in a rotatable relation and is fitted with a manually operating rotary disc 24.

In the next, with reference to FIG. 3, there is shown another modification of the present invention in which the elastic material 5a is designed to take a shape of such that on the upper surface of the elastic material 5a is mounted a pillow 9a. The regulating block 6a presses down on it for the same purpose of regulating the rate of liow of fuel. The `pillow 9a is concaved in the middle for it to press down intensively on the center of the elastic member 5a. It is smaller in size than the upper surface of the elastic member 5a and permits a narrow space 11a to be established around its periphery. This arrangement permits the fuel gas to flow along the narrow space 11a into the passage 7a by way of the concaved portion.

In the next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, crossing the center of an elastic member 5b is provided a cleavage 5b', running diametrically. When pressed tight, this part of the elastic member 5b shrinks with readiness causing the passage of fuel torclose. However, when pressed moderately, it leaves a narrow opening through the whole cleavage 5b', thus the fuel is allowed to flow through the cleavage 5b. In this case, the regulating block 6b substantially as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is the one usually mounted, however, a modification which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is also recommended. With the latter case, a valve with I-shaped section 12b is mounted in such a way that a rod-shaped valve 13b is mounted independently within the regulating block 6b, for producing the same performance as detailed in the aforementioned. In the drawing, a valve 12b provides an annular groove with the section of the half H running in the middle of periphery and is held tight against the inside wall of the .fixed tubular member 1b by aid of a ring shaped packing 9b in the same way as shown in FIG. 1, however, the resilience of the packing 9b heading outwards. A projection 261; provided in the center of the upper surface, is pressed down by an elastic member 2gb, which is maintained in a hollow space 2711 provided on the lowermost portion of the rod-shaped valve 13b. The valve 13b is forced downwardly by a closing lid 2lb due to its downwardly pressing force. When the closing lid 2lb is removed, the gas flows to the space between the valves 12b and 13b through the passage provided in the projection 26h, and the space between the valves 12b and 13b is communicated with the passage provided in the valve 13b through the clearance between the valve 13b and the regulating block 6b. This arrangement eliminates the use of a spring `in the compression of valve 13b without accompanying any change in the performance of the gas lighter. There is shown an absorbent wick 29]; which takes up fuel. It is iitted properly in place being inserted through a horizontal opening 31h of a boss 3011 on the lowermost end of the fixed tubular member 1b and is tightly secured by a screwing thread 32h. Passage 3b is a small passage that permits the fuel gas to ow as does passage 3 in FIG. 1.

Due to the device of the present invention being composed as disclosed in the aforementioned; namely, a surface 6" on the lowermost end of the regulating block being provided with an area which is smaller in size than the upper surface of the elastic member 5, and compression on the upper surface of the last-named with the regulating block 6 taking place only fractionally permitting the peripheral portion to keep oli? from the contact, the elastic member 5 releases the fuel for it to iiow just in regulated amount, and allow the fuel to blow out from the periphery which is kept off from the contact of the lowermost end of the regulating block 6. On further compression on the elastic member 5, a resilient pressure due to the elastic member begins to come into real effect against the wall of the hollow space 4. On this stage of the compression, a slight adjustment on the regulating block produces an effective control on the performance due to resilience of the elastic member 5 being held in well balanced position. Thus a constant rate of blow of gas and desired length of tiame has been obtained.

The device of the present invention is also benefited by a feature in connection with the actual process of adjustment of performance that a soft touch and smoothness of movement is provided in the hand turning of the regulating block, due to the lowermost end 6 is designed to press on the elastic member 5 in a direct manner or placing no medium therebetween. The elastic member 5 favors us with further advantage that due to its resilience, it allows no relaxation in the tightness of other screwing engagement, and permits the pitch of the screw thread to turn in a very delicate adjustment of such order as 1/10, 5/ 10, and the like. It guarantees a complete closure when the screwing up is complete. Conventional gas lighters which is provided with a spring system in the structure of enclosure of fuel gas are accompanied with a possible risk of leaking the fuel from the lighter tank due to the incidental relaxing due to vibration from the outside or any other shock might happening while the lighter is not in use or while being moved for transport. However the present invention eliminates such possibility due to omittance of said spring structure. The regulating block has taken up the performance of a .lever valve, thus the valve with spring has been eliminated. Due to such elimination in the structure, the gas lighter of the present invention is produced simple in structure, is satisfactorily operated for a considerable length of time without mechanical disorder, void of any repair or undue attention.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, modifications thereof will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It should be understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular arrangements disclosed but that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications which do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What claim is:

l. A blow-out device for gas for a gas lighter, comprising a fixed tubular member secured on a fuel tank and provided into a tubular form with a bottom, said bottom being provided with a small passage in the center and a hollow space in the upper surface of said bottom which communicates with said passage, a porous spongy elastic member, said elastic member being accommodated within said hollow space, a packing of round section, anda regulating block adapted to be screwed up on said fixed tubular member by said packing, said regulating block being provided with a central passage and a horizontally running passage for fuel, said central passage being communicated with said horizontally running passage, and said regulating block having a reversely frustreconical lower end having a pressure surface of which diameter is smaller than that of said elastic member so as to press on the central part of the upper surface of said elastic member to regulate the ow of said fuel gas.

2. A blow-out device for gas for a gas lighter, comprising a fixed tubular member secured on a fuel tank and provided into a tubular form with a bottom, said bottom being provided with a small passage in the center and a hollow space in the upper surface of said bottom which communicates with said passage, a porous spongy elastic member, said elastic member being accommodated within said hollow space, a regulating block adapted to be screwed up on said xed tubular member by the aid of a packing of the round section, said regulating block being provided with a central passage for fuel, said regulating block having a pressure surface at its lowermost end, and a pillow with a concave protruding downwards in the center, said pillow being arranged between said pressure surface and the upper surface of said elastic member so as to establish a narrow space around the periphery of said pillow whereby the rate of blow-out of gas is regulated.

3. A blow-out device for gas for a gas lighter, comprising a fixed tubular member secured on a fuel tank and provided into a tubular `form with a bottom, said bottom being provided with a small passage in the center and a hollow space in the upper surface of said bottom which communicates with said passage, a porous spongy elastic member, said elastic member being accommodated within said hollow space and having a diametral vertical cleavage in its upper surface for the passage of fuel, and a regulating block adapted to be screwed up on said fixed tubular member by the aid of a packing of the round section, said regulating block being provided with a central passage for fuel, and said regulating block having a pressure surface at its lowermost end so as to press said upper surface of said elastic member including said cleavage whereby the rate of blow-out of gas is regulated.

4. A blow-out device for gas for a gas lighter, com- 5 prising a fixed tubular member secured on a fuel tank and provided into a tubular form with a bottom, said bottom being provided with a small passage in the center and a hollow space in the upper surface of said bottom which communicates with said passage, a porous spongy elastic member, said elastic member being accommodated within said hollow space, a regulating block adapted to be screwed up on said fixed tubular member by the aid of a packing, said packing having a round section and kept between two flanges provided peripherally on said regulating block, said regulating block having a pressure surface at its lowermost end to press said elastic Y member, a boss in its upper surface, and a passage through said pressure surface and said boss, a nozzle member movable regardless of said screwing of said regulating block with respect to said tubular member, said nozzle member having a nozzle With Which the lastnamed passage is communicated through by-passes, and a central recess in the lower surface thereof in which an elastic block is secured whereby it is possible to close completely the upper end of ythe last-named passage at said boss.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 60 Great Britain. 12/ 60 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application No. 1,117,925, 11/ 61.

20 EDWARD I. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BLOW-OUT DEVICE FOR GAS A GAS LIGHTER, COMPRISIG A FIXED TUBULAR MEMBER SECURED ON A FUEL TANK AND PROVIDED INTO A TUBULAR FORM WITH A BOTTOM, SAID BOTTOM BEING PROVIDED WITH A SMALL PASSAGE IN THE CENTER AND A HOLLOW SPACE IN THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM WHICH COMMUNICATES WITH SAID PASSAGE, A POROUS SPONGY ELASTIC MEMBER, SAID ELASTIC MEMBER BEING ACCOMMODATED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW SPACE, A PACKING OF ROUND SECTION, AND A REGULATING BLOCK ADAPTED TO BE SCREWED UP ON SAID FIXED TUBULAR MEMBER BY SAID PACKING, SAID REGULATING 